Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1887-12-19
WASHINGTON LETTER
SPECIAL coRREsPoNDENcE OF THE MONITOR
Washington. Dec. 18Th

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE MONITOR.
Washington. Dec. 18TH.
In the political world the bold
message of the president is the chief
topic of discussion, and while there
are diverse opinions concerning its
expediency and practicability, men
of all parties willingly concede Mr..
Cleveland the courage of his convic-
tions-something really refreshing in
a candidate for the presidency, be-
cause so rarely seen. Many long
headed politicians express the belief
that the presidents course on the only
real vital issue of the day, will cause
a new alignment of parties in the
next presidential struggle, and on
the most exciting contests in the his
tory of the country. Mr.. Blaine's
swift criticism of the message is
practically regarded as declaration
of his own candidacy for the presi-
dency as the champion of the protec-
ton principle. 1t is thought here
that the calling of the national repub-
lican convention at Chicago was due
to the Blaine influence, and that it
foreshadows his denomination.
Congress was organized quietly, and
in a manner becoming the dignity of
that body on its centennial annivers-
arv. despite the bloodshed in the dem
ocratic caucus and the anticipations
of a deadlock in the senate, the only
interruption being from religious
enthusiast, who, at the moment of
most intense silence in the house,
chanted the doxology in plaintive
solo, greatly to the amusement of
fully 5000 spectators the poor man
was cared for by the police, but he
succeeded in favoring the president
with the same tune at his reception.
As usual on such occasions, many of
the desks were burdened with beau
tiful floral favors, the gifts of admir-
ing friends.
Only brief sessions of congress
were held the past week, as the COM
mittees have not yet been formed !;
! Speaker Carlisle says that he hopes
to be able to announce the house
committees before the holiday recess !:
| but he has a very difficult task before
him, for there are about 125 new
members to place. 1t is a remarka-
I bic fact that two-thirds of the chair
NEE of the house committees of the
last congress were decapitated by
their constituents. A plausible rea-
son for these changes is that the i'm
Fortunate congressman, ID dividing
the spoils. did not have enough Offic-
es to distribute; and many familiar
faces are missing from the places that
will know them no more forever.
The only committee vet appointed
/ in either house or senate is the com
mittee on mileage of the house, which,
as far as circumstances would permit.
is the same as formerly, and this is
rather an indication that, as far as
practicable, the speaker means to re-
appoint the same old committees.
The bitterness engendered among
the democrats over the doorkeeper-
ship fight has brought to light allega-
lions that both Donelson and Winter
smith, late incumbents of that office.
are defaulters, and it is whispered
about the capitol corridors that the
republicans will introduce a resolu-
ton for the appointment of a COM
mittee to investigate the accounts of
these officials.
It is believed that the nominations
of Lamar for associate justice of the
supreme court, Villas for secretary of
the interior, and Dickinson for post
master general, viii be confirmed
without difficulty by the senate.
The Evangelical Alliance of the
United States, embracing 2000 dele
gates, and numbering among its mem
bership many of the most eminent di-
vines of the country, held its session
in the capital the past week, and the
occasion was a season of glorious
spiritual edifcation to thousands of
Christian believers whose privilege it
was to attend these meetings.
One of the most pleasant events of
the meeting of the alliance was the
presidents reception Of the organize
ton in a body, the members being
personally introduced to the chief ex-
ecutive BY VIM. Z. Dodge. When it
came the turn of the Rev. DR.. Burch-
ard, who made the famous allitera-
tive allusion in references to rum.
Romanism and rebellion. IN the last
presidential campaign, general
smile went around, and it was especi-
ally bright on the faces of Mr. and
Mrs. Cleveland, both of whom ex-
tended a very cordial greeting TO the
noted divine, who also appeared to
share fully the spirit Of the situation
-z~-@-@-z-=====-==
Senator Edmunds comes promptly
forward with his bill for postal tel
egraph. The country viii support
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